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Choice Quality Year One Silver Shekel, 66-70 CE
31
Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver Shekel (14.16 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 1 (66/7 CE). ‘Shekel of
Israel’ (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with wide, smooth rim, pellet on either side, and flat base with
pearled ends; above, ‘[year] 1’. Rev. ‘Jerusalem [the] holy’ (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate
buds, round base. (TJC 187; Hendin 1354). Die-break on the obverse. Lightly toned. Extremely fine.
$ 7,000
ex Superior (8-10 August 1983), lot 114.
The silver shekel of the first year (May 66-March 67 CE) of the Jewish War against Rome is perhaps one of the most iconic coins
in the ancient Jewish coin series. The chalice on the obverse is widely believed to represent a ritual chalice used in the Jerusalem
Temple while the reverse may represent a staff with three pomegranates. The pomegranate was a traditional symbol of Jewish priestly
authority.
Stunning Quality Year One Silver
½
Shekel, 66-70 CE
32
Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver
1
/
2
Shekel (6.73 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 1 (66/7 CE). ‘Half of a Shekel’
(Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with wide, smooth rim, pellet on either side, and flat base with pearled ends;
above, ‘[year] 1’. Rev. ‘Jerusalem [the] holy’ (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round
base. (TJC 188; Hendin 1355). Virtually as struck. Nearly mint state.
$ 7,000
Purchased privately at the NYINC, January 1988.
The dramatic first year (May 66-March 67 CE) of the Jewish War against Rome gave some hope that the Jewish rebels might actually
win their independence. Late in 66 CE they defeated the Twelfth Legion commanded by the Roman procurator Cestius Gallus.
Some of the silver coinage struck in this year may perhaps have been produced from the booty carried off by the victorious Jews in
this confrontation. Unfortunately, this Roman defeat led to Vespasian’s transfer to the theater of conflict and the eventual quashing
of the revolt in the Galilee.